Three-dimensional time indicator clock



June 29,1948. L N 2,444,392

THREE DIMENSIONAL TIME INDICATOR CLOCK Filed Feb. 16, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 29, 1948. w N 2,444,392 I I THREE DIMENSIONAL TIME INDICATOR CLOCK Filed Feb. 16, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .w 4 51 f 3 a I 61 f I y T9 W W. i inl llw' h J7 .z'W '.....!H 41M! IN V EN TOR.

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cures various other Patented June 29, 1948 THREE-DIMENSION AL TIME INDICATOR OCK George Willens, Chicago, Ill. Application February 16, 1944, Serial No. 522,562 3 Claims. (Cl. 58125) My invention relates to clocks and more in particular to a clock which may be produced in various ornamental shapes and which provides for maximum visibility.

Detailed objects and additional features of the invention will be brought out in connection with the description which follows.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing one form which the clock of my invention may take;

Figs. 2 and 3 are elevational views showing other forms;

Fig. 4 is a top plan section of the clock shown in Fig. 1, with the upper segment thereof removed, the figure being substantially along the line 44 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a slightly enlarged irregular sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing a modified time train mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 9 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 10 is an elevational view showing a modification, parts being broken away to show construction.

In accordance with the main features of my invention, I provide a three dimensional time indicator, in the form of three horizontally separated symmetrical elements which together define a symmetrical, geometric or like body, and together cooperate with a base to entirely house a clock mechanism. The clock mechanism drives the three horizontally separated symmetrical elements, which also comprise segments of the symmetrical housing, and these elements are properly marked with indicia indicating hours, minutes, and seconds. In addition to the fact that unusual novel designs may be produced, the clock of my present invention saves material, provides for unusual visibility and seadvantages over conventional forms of clocks.

.. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I show three forms of design,'each comprising a unitary structure, each having a base and three rotatable horizontally ments thereof, as shown in connection with the form of design shown in Fig. 1, are described. 1 Referring now first to Figs. 4 and 5, together with Fig. 1, the clock of my present invention comprises a base ll, segments 12, I3 and I4, and mechanism to drive such segments at proper time speed. The segment I2 bears numerals indicating the hour; the segment I3, numbers indicating minutes; and the segment or cap 14, marks indicating seconds. In the drawing, the segment I4 does not bear numbers but only an arrow which may be utilized for the purpose of timing a full minute. The markings on the segment M will be referred to more in detail hereinafter but obviously many eXpedients may be used. The base carries an indicator l6, indicating the point at which the time is read.

To drive the segments, I provide a synchronous motor H. mounted on a plate l8 which, in turn, is secured to uprights |'9-l9, carried by the base II. A second plate 2| is separated from the plate I8 by spacers 22-22 and a gear mechanism 23 is provided for driving hubs 24 and 26 in proper time relation. The hub 24 is adapted to make one complete revolution per hour while the hub 26 is adapted to make one complete revolution in twelve hours. The shaft 21 may be driven directly from the motor H, but should have a speed of one revolution per minute. Shaft 21 and hubs 24 and 26 are concentrically arranged in a manner known in the clock art and are utilized to drive, respectively, the segments [4, I 3 and I2.

The segment [4 has a plurality of ribs 28, preferably four in number, and the entire segment l4 plus the ribs 28 may be molded as a unit. The top of shaft 2'! is finished to receive the segment 4 in drive relation. For convenience, I have simplified the showing, by illustrating a simple threaded connection, but those skilled in the art will understand that any simple drive connection may be made between these parts.

The segment l3 also has a plurality of ribs 29, in the center-of which is carried a sleeve 3| The sleeve 3l' has an internal projection which engages in a vertical groove 32 in the hub 24. The segment I2 is also ribbed and carries a sleeve 33 which frictionally engages the hub 26..

The sleeves 3| and 33 shape of the ribs of segment [2 because in the particular arrangement shown in the drawings, this segment could be substantially closed across its top.

The described construction provides a continuous housing of symmetrical character within which the entire mechanism is disposed. The segment 13, being in effect keyed to hub 24, may be used to set the clock. The other segments may be merely frictionally supported, and segment i2 preferably is frictionally supported, so that its position may be adjusted to the fixed position of segment i3. I

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, I provide a base 36, segments 31, 38 and 39 and synchronous motor 4| carried by the base. The motor 41 has a plate 42 to which a stationary sleeve 43 is secured. The motor shaft 44 extends directly upwardly to segment 39 and the parts are suitably finished to provide a drive connection. Thus, the motor shaft 44 may be driven I at one revolution per minute, so that segment 39 may be marked to indicate seconds.

In order to drive the segment 38 atone revolution per hour, I utilize a gear connection between such segment and the segment 39. A stationary gear 46 is secured to the stationary sleeve 43 and a second gear 41 is mounted to move with the segment 38. Suitably, I provide the segment 38 with a plurality of ribs 48 and at the center thereof clinch togethera spring clutch member 4'9 and the gear 41 by means of a thimble 5|, opposite ends of which are spun or peened over to grip the said gear and clutch member, ends of which are bent over and extended into slots provided in the ribs 48. The spring clutch member 49 is thus made immovable with respect to the segment 38 and the gear 41 is, therefore, clutched to rotate with such segment 33, but having some relative movement if necessary.

the pinion mesh with both gears, I may use an f equivalent construction wherein two pinions are secured together and separately engage the gears 46 and 41. Since the gear 45 is stationary and has 59 teeth and the gear 41 may be rotated and has 60 teeth, the gear 41 will be caused to advance one toot-h position, or fl th of its circumference during each full revolution of the pinion 52. The

segment 38, therefore, makes th of a revolution While the segment 39 makes a complete revolution; the segment 39, in other words, rotating at 60 times the speed of the segment 38. To permit this relative movement, ribs 48 are provided with cut-away portions 51 for the passage of the pinion 52. Thus, if the shaft 44 and segment 39 rotate at 60 revolutions per hour, the gear '41 and segment 38 will rotate at one revolution per hour.

A speed reducing drive connection is also provided between the segments 38 and 31. A pinion 59 is ca-rri'ed on a stud 59 engaged in one of the The pinion 53 engages a gear 6| secured to the stationary sleeve 43 and a gear 62 secured to the segment '31. Segment 31 is free to rotate on the stationary sleeve 43 and has a plurality of ribs 53 extending between the periphery of the segment The gears 46 and 41 i have "external teeth, preferably 59 and 60, re-

The number of teeth in the and the hub thereof as in the construction of the other segments. The gear 62 is suitably secured to the segment 31 by providing openings 64 therein through which integral projections from the segment 31 project. The gears 6| and 62 have 11 and 12 teeth, respectively, or multiples thereof. As the pinion makes one complete revolution, therefore, it advances the gear 62 one tooth position, or 9 th of its circumference and the housing 31 also rotates th of its circumference or makes one complete revolution in twelve hours.

' I have indicated the parts of Fig. 1 by the same reference characters used in Fig. 5. It should be understood, however, that the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, may be identical, e'xteriorly, with the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1. Corresponding parts in Figs. 2 and. 3 have been given similar numbers with, however, the prefixes (l) and (2), respectively, to indicate a modification. The drive connections employed with the modification in Figs. 2 and 3 may, of course, be such as disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5 or preferably may be in accordance with the disclosure of Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive.

Fig. 10 is generally similar to Fig. I and comprises a base 3| I, segments 31 2, 313 and 3l4 and indicator 3 i 6. The base carries a lamp 1| extending up into the housing comprising the segment M2. The rib support for the housing comprising the segment 312 is so shaped as to permit the ribs to pass the light. There are many ways in which this may be done such as by having an upper rib as shown in Fig. 5 or vertically disposed ribs partially cut away as indicated by the lower exposed rib of Fig. 10. By forming the segments 'of translucent or transparent plastic, a relatively small lamp will give more than adequate illumination to that portion of the clock adjacent the indicator; while the clock may be substantially entirely illuminated, or may serve as a night light or the like by merely utilizing a lamp of the required power and locating it suitably within the housing.

Many of the distinctive features and advantages of my improved three dimensional clock have been made clear by the previous description. One feature is that the clock face acts as a housing for be provided that time can readily be determined by the person with ordinary good eye sight from a distance equal to that from which a standard eighteen inch dial can be read; the numbers will be about the same size. Frequent markings on the second segment create the illusion of rapid motion in a very fascinating and attractive manner. Unusual accuracies are obtainable in reading all of the segments, particularly the second segment where fractions of a second even may be read if desired,

The placing of all of the mechanism in a symmetrical housing, segmented to provide time segments, not only has the advantage of conserving space but is also carried out in such a way that the disassembling 0f the housing for quick inspection or correction or repair is very simple. Using the identical construction of Fig. 5, for example, the working parts can all be made accessible by first unscrewing the segment l4 and then lifting the segments l3 and i2 separately;

' while, in the case 'of the embodiment of Fi R it is merely necessary to lift the segments separately to expose all of the mechanism. Reassembling of the segments is also very simple, an advantage if a light is mounted within the housing and requires replacement.

My invention has the further advantage, that determination of the time is very simple, as contrasted with many other novelty clocks, where the reading of the time is itself complicated and difiicult for the uninitiated. A further advantage of my clock is the ease with which it may be converted to a twenty-four hour day clock. This is readily done by merely changing the gear relation between the minute and hour segments of the embodiment of Figs. 5 to 9, and showing 24 hours on the hour segment instead of 12 hours. In all other clocks with which I am familiar, a complete rebuilding of the clock mechanism is necessary to accomplish such a change.

I have described my invention in considerable detail, but the scope of the invention is defined in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to obtain by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A clock comprising a base, a motor carried by the base, and having an upwardly extending shaft, a stationary sleeve surrounding said shaft, a housing surrounding said shaft and sleeve separated horizontally into three segments, the uppermost of said segments being connected to and driven by said shaft, remaining segments being journalled on said sleeve, and speed change gearing between said segments, the exterior of said segments bearing time indicating indicia.

2. A clock comprising a base, a motor carried by the base, and having an upwardly extending shaft, a stationary sleeve surrounding said shaft, a housing surrounding said shaft and sleeve separated horizontally into three segments, the uppermost of driven by said shaft, remaining segments being journalled on said sleeve, and speed change gearing between said segments, the exterior of said segments bearing time indicating indicia, said speed change gearing comprising a stationary gear, a gear carried by one segment, said gears being concentric in parallel planes, and having an uneven number of teeth, and a pinion carried by said segments being connected to and a contiguous segment and meshing with said two gears.

3. A clock comprising a base, a stationary time indicator carried thereby, a three dimensional time indicating housing horizontally separated to form three symmetrical segments, means to rotatably support said segments on said base, the upper segment indicating seconds of elapsed time,

segment minutes and the lower segment hours, the indicia on said segments contrasting with the surface, being relatively large, and extending entirely therearound, a motor carried by the base, a vertical shaft driven by the motor at one revolution per minute, said shaft driving said upper segment, a sixty tooth gear carried by the middle segment, a stationary gear with fifty-nine teeth in parallel relation therewith, a pinion carried by the upper segment and meshing with both said gears to drive said middle segment at one-sixtieth the speed of the upper segment, a twelve tooth gear carried by the lower segment, an eleven tooth stationary gear in parallel relation therewith and a pinion carried by the mid meshing with both gears to drive the lower segment at one-twelfth the speed of the middle segment.

GEORGE WILIENS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 218,945 Dittmeier Aug. 26, 1879 362,140 Adams May 3, 1887 762,261 Strassburg June 7, 898,742 Jaeger Sept, 15, 1908 1,929,582 Greenwood Oct. 10, 1933 1,997,570 Baldwin Apr. 16, 1935 2,036,046 Harrison Mar. 31, 1936 2,256,412 Scott Sept. 16, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 19,056 Great Britain Oct. 24, 1892 800,890 France May 11, 1936 

